Content Warning: The following article contains discussions of suicide and mental health crises. If you or someone you know is in need of support for mental health and substance use do not hesitate to call our mental health help line at 09190696361 or call 911 for any emergency.
An urgent need for mental health intervention has emerged in the city as students face rising rates of depression.
Records from the City Health Services Office (CHSO) show that suicide rates in Baguio City doubled from 24 recorded cases in 2024 to 47 in this year, identifying students and the general workforce as the most affected groups.
Ricky Ducas, CHSO’s Mental Health Program Manager, cited environmental factors that contribute to mental health struggles.
“Wala po akong nakitang, napuntahang [bahay ng] nag-suicide na pumapasok ang ilaw, maayos, lahat magulo. So mayroon at mayroong effect iyon sa mental health,” Ducas explained, highlighting how the orderliness and physical structure of a home affect mental well-being.
Ducas said the city must normalize health-seeking behavior and prioritize the creation of a healthy, safe environment for everyone. CHSO records show residents are increasingly seeking help from mental health professionals, with 774 clients logged in 2025.
Reporting a recent suicide case involving a 13-year-old male on February 10, 2026, Ducas stressed the urgency of the city’s situation. With students identified as the most vulnerable demographic, the CHSO and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) have launched the “Tenant ko, Mahal ko” program. The initiative encourages landlords to regularly check on the welfare of their tenants, particularly students living away from home.
Ducas also pushed back against remarks from Senator Robin Padilla, who labeled today’s youth a “weak generation” during a Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media hearing on the Children’s Safety in Social Media Act.
“Ngayon, mas maganda na yung bata pa na ‘yon ang nagsasabi ng ‘I am depressed,’ kesa naman itago niya at magulat tayo na wala na siya,” Ducas said, adding that the younger generation is more vocal about their struggles due to greater awareness fueled by social media. Maria Elena Catajan with a report from Dianne Ysabel Mallare / UP Baguio Intern